Big Day Today - Closing her chest

Sorry I haven't updated in a bit. Mostly been posting quick updates on Facebook.

I first want to thank all the nurses and doctors at both Kaiser Sunset and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. I really can't express the gratitude we both feel for the care we are receiving. First, a thank you to her surgeon, Dr. Kallin. Your precision and skill saved our daughter. Thank you. We've been with the nurses at CHLA the most now, and the love they have shown our daughter is incredible. Sara, Carolyn, Stephanie, Charmaine, Unique, and all the other staff that we have met, thank you for loving on our sweet angel. Oh, and thank you for naming her, "Cutest Baby on the Floor."

After her surgery she hit some rough points. After surgery, it's a big balancing act between her rhythms, blood pressure, and fluids. She was in a bad rhythm called JET which made her heart rate over 200. She was also in a 2:1 heart block. Meaning the top of her heart wasn't talking with the bottom. Because of these rhythms, she was place on a pacemaker. The surgery also went longer than they had expected, so they had to pump her full of a lot more fluids than normal to maintain her pressures. Needless to say, she had gone through a lot. So the next days were critical to see how she will recover. The things I mention are within the "normal" things that can occur after this surgery. Except for the JET rhythm.

But yesterday we got the great news that she was in a normal sinus rhythm All on her own!!! That means that she has a normal heart beat and no JET or heart block and no need for the pacemaker! Praise God!

She continues to fight and show progress each day. The prayers and love everyone has shown us is palpable, thank you.

Now we enter the next critical step, closing her chest. They plan to do it today since her fluid levels are getting back to normal. They have kept it open to relieve pressure and in case they had to go back in right away. Once the chest is closed, her heart and body might take a hit because the heart and lungs are now under more pressure and in a new environment. Please pray for today and the next days to come as we come closer and closer to our daughters restoration.

Thank you.

Love, Jon and Lydia

Our dear friend, Alex, sent us these verses and they have been the echoes of the strength we have experienced from our Father.

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.